13 Nov 2017

Local history scholars have reached a consensus that there is need to engage in a national dialogue in an effort to recapture the real narrative of Botswana national identity.

The history academic brains took turns to share the sentiments at a well-attended lecture presented by renowned historians Dr Jeff Ramsay and Dr Barry Morton titled: The Invention and Perpetuation of Botswana’s National Mythology, 1885-1966.

In what the historians termed Botswana’s national mythology it involved two separate incidents in which Batswana of varying backgrounds begged the British for ‘protection’.

The first narrative involves a supplicant role in 1885 during the ‘Scramble for Africa’, while the second narrative revolves around Queen Victoria’s ‘guarantee of protection to the delegation of Three Chiefs who went to see her in London in 1895.

The first part maintains that the Batswana invited the British to take over their territories in 1885 in order to protect them from the Boers of Transvaal Republic.

The second narrative maintains that Mmamosadinyana, as she was referred to personally guaranteed the continued protection of Botswana, an event that occurred when the visiting delegation of Bathoen I of the Bangwaketse, Sebele I of the Bakwena and Khama III of the Bangwato had audience with her at Windsor Castle.

This guarantee was made in the context of plans to hand over the Protectorate to Cecil Rhodes and the British South African Company (BSAC).

Dr Morton argued that for a period spanning over 130 years the national mythology became established and cemented as part of the cultural hegemony.

He said throughout the years politicians presented the myth as propaganda for a number of reasons. He said the documented exchanges between General Charles Warren and Kgosi Sebele I clearly demonstrated that Batswana had not asked Britain for protection versus the Transvaal Boers. “The journey of Bathoen, Khama and Sebele to England to protest their transfer into Rhode’s empire has assumed mythical proportions in Botswana’s historical consciousness,” he argued.

The argument is that British particularly after 1908 rarely attempted to use the mythology of protection in order to cement their hegemony over the Batswana.

The presenters argued that the national mythology was created and used by multiple actors over multiple decades in multiple political disputes.

“Over the course of time it came to be acceptable to the British colonisers and their Batswana subjects and finally to the citizens of modern Botswana. This strange and long lasting consensus should not distract historians, in our view from seeking to create a more factual accurate nationalist narrative.”

Dr Ramsay said it was now evident that there was need to recapture the real narrative that could be disputed.

Making a contribution to the debate University of Botswana lecturer and also British history scholar, Dr Bruce Bennett said colonial history was a bit complex due to unrecorded influence. He said history as a subject was devalued hence the myth was widespread but there was need to make a connection from both sides of the story.

Head of History Department at UB Professor Maitseo Bolaane appreciated the two presenters’ effort to demystify the myth.

She said it was important to consider the introduction of national history in Botswana so that Batswana appreciate their contributions to their identity.

Local journalist, Mr Tshireletso Motlogelwa highlighted that there was need for proper national debate on the subject without pushing any interest.

He said the time for a national discussion was due in order to avoid peddling the myth into future generations.

Veteran African history scholar Professor Part Mgadla suggested that something must be done about the marginalizsed teaching of the history subject in an effort to create national building. BOPA